Nations looking to upgrade their F-16 fleets with advanced L3Harris Viper Shield electronic warfare (EW) protection now have a podded variant option that offers the same level of protection as an internally integrated system.
“Seven U.S. partner nations, most recently Poland, have selected Viper Shield for the suite’s advanced EW capabilities and ease of upgrade,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “Future customers – especially those who operate the F-16 Block 50 or earlier – may prefer the flexibility of the Viper Shield external Pod to increase aircraft survivability.”
Here are five reasons why:
Advanced EW protection that’s affordable advanced digital, electronic self-protection – Viper Shield’s active production line combined with current partner nation development funding and L3Harris’ internal investments make both the internal and Pod variants affordable. The Pod’s mobility allows F-16 operators to purchase fewer Pods to support their fleets, giving ground crews the ability to swap an entire system from one aircraft to another to meet mission requirements.
Rapid fielding to fight tonight with growth opportunities – Viper Shield leverages fully funded development for rapid fielding and integration. Its open-system design supports new growth capabilities, such as high-tech radar and electronic systems that will further enhance situational awareness, threat detection and countermeasure capabilities. Advanced features for both variants leverage commercial off-the-shelf technology and software-defined architecture.
Flexibility – Viper Shield is lighter, smaller and more modular in design than previous EW systems. The Pod fits on all F-16 blocks, from legacy to new. Its line replaceable units (LRUs) can be easily removed and replaced in the field, with room to add advanced capabilities via 3U Versatile Performance Extension upgrades in the future.
Commonality – In production today, the Viper Shield Pod and internal components are identical, down to the same part numbers giving ground crews the ability to swap an entire system from one aircraft to another to meet mission requirements. Nations will benefit from system interoperability in partner or coalition training and employment regardless of the variant they choose.
Reduced aircraft downtime – As with the internal variant, Viper Shield Pod maintenance is managed through a commercial contract with the platform prime for greater efficiency. The Pod’s accessibility and separation from the aircraft offer simple, fast repairs and quick return to service.
“Whether Viper Shield customers select the Pod variant, internal variant or both, they’ll extend the F-16’s operational life to enhance their fleet,” said Zoiss. “We’ve applied decades of F-16 EW experience to Viper Shield so these venerable fighter jets can evolve to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield and bring pilots home safely.”
L3Harris Viper Shield Pod Model on Display at AFA 2025
